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Genoa Town Church

Town Church

The Genoa Community Church is ideal for an old-fashioned, small, intimate wedding to remember forever, whether formal or informal.

The Church seats 80 persons in 17 pews. Church Dimensions.

The church is located at
182 Nixon Street just across from the Genoa Town Park's main entrance.By Billie J. Rightmire

During the 1940’s and 1950’s, Genoa resident Walter Young and his wife, Emma, held Sunday school every Sunday morning in the Genoa Community Church. Genoa children gathered to sing the beautiful hymns Mrs. Young expertly played on the old pump organ. "After the singing, we had bible story time. These are treasured childhood memories of growing up in Genoa and, to be invited to a beautiful wedding, that was really something special!"

With this ring, I thee wed

Each major religion celebrates the wedding with tradition and doctrine. Most religious sects follow the familiar service:
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God … from this day forward for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part... "I do!" ...from the Book of Common Prayer. These words were said over many a pioneer couple. The horse and buggy waiting in front of the church was decorated with the traditional cut flowers and a string of cans tied together behind the buggy. What a special day!

An old fashioned, small, intimate wedding to remember forever, whether formal or informal, never to be forgotten by the bride, groom and their families. Wagner's bridal chorus from "Lohengrin" - Here comes the bride...'' or Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from a Midsummer Night's Dream, was played on the old pump organ as the traditional processional and recessional music. Many years ago, the bride wore a traditional black dress.

Of course, we can't forget “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue." The "old or new" was usually a pair of gloves, the bride's garter, or an antique piece of jewelry or a family heirloom such as a bible. The "something borrowed, something blue" was a lace handkerchief, heirloom lace, or jewelry. A blue garter or ribbon denotes purity, fidelity and love. Also, a coin was always placed in the bride's shoe for good luck with the thought that it might help to ensure a life of fortune.

The Genoa Community Church is a non-denominational church, built on its present site after the disastrous 1910 Genoa fire burned most of the business section. Building materials were donated and community volunteer labor built the church. The Genoa Town Advisory Board (town of Genoa) holds the church property deed and governs the use of the church as well as the 1886 Town Hall, and the town office.

In 1979-1980 the bell tower, porch, new roof, new doors and a natural gas heating system was installed. The large wooden cross overlooking the antique alter and pews gives a spiritual feeling. In 1991-1992 the church was expanded with dressing rooms, restrooms and a wheelchair ramp. Sunday church services, weddings, baptismals, funeral services, and meetings are still held in the church today.

The Genoa Community Church is a testament to faith and volunteerism, thanks to the community spirit of local residents and that meaningful word, "tradition."

To rent the Genoa Town Church, visit our Wedding and Facility Rentals page